We don't recommend the washer/dryer method — but if the photo above is you, keep reading.
The complete care guide for rhinestone sets, mesh bodysuits, vinyl two-pieces, and everything in your dancer wardrobe. Affordable exotic dancewear stays affordable when you know how to make it last.
You spent real money on your stage outfits. Maybe not a lot — that's kind of the whole point of Golddiggers — but still, money you earned on the floor. The last thing you need is your favorite rhinestone set falling apart after two washes because nobody told you cold water is non-negotiable.
This is the dancewear care guide we wish existed when we started. Bookmark it. Send it to your dressing room group chat. It applies to every exotic dancewear set, bodysuit, or accessory in your rotation — whether you bought it from us or not.
Step 1: Check Your Fabric First
Not all dancewear is created equal, and care varies by material. Before anything else, know what you're working with:
• Spandex / Lycra (most sets and bodysuits): Gentle, cold water only. Stretches back into shape when washed correctly; loses it when washed wrong.
• Mesh: Extremely delicate. Snags easily. Hand wash or mesh bag only, never alone in a machine.
• Vinyl / PVC: Don't submerge. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Machine washing cracks and destroys vinyl permanently.
• Velvet: Cold, gentle cycle max. Lay flat to dry — the pile crushes if you hang it wet.
• Rhinestone / embellished sets: The glue that holds rhinestones is heat-sensitive and agitation-sensitive. Hand wash only, never machine dry, minimal handling.
• Fishnet: Hand wash in cold water. Machine agitation causes runs and snags in the weave.
How to Hand Wash Your Dancer Outfit (The Right Way)
Hand washing is the gold standard for all exotic dancewear. Here's the Golddiggers method:
What You Need
• A clean sink or basin
• Cold or lukewarm water (never hot)
• A small amount of delicate detergent — we use and recommend Woolite Delicates
• A clean, dry towel
The Process
• Fill your sink with cold or lukewarm water. Add a small amount of Woolite Delicates — less is more, especially for rhinestoned pieces.
• Submerge the outfit and gently swish it around. No scrubbing, no wringing, no twisting. You're loosening dirt, not fighting it.
• Let it soak for 5–10 minutes.
• Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water until the water runs clear.
• Gently press (don't wring) water out of the fabric. For rhinestone items, handle as little as possible — just press gently between your palms.
• Lay flat on a clean towel to dry. Do not hang wet dancewear — gravity pulls it out of shape.
Machine Washing: When You're In a Pinch
We'll be honest: we don't recommend machine washing for most exotic dancewear. But we're also not naive — sometimes you have 20 minutes before a shift and no time for a sink soak.
If you have to use a machine:
• Use a mesh laundry bag — this is non-negotiable. It protects against snags and agitation damage.
• Cold water, delicate cycle only.
• Small amount of gentle detergent.
• Never machine wash rhinestone-heavy pieces. The agitation loosens the glue and you'll find stones in the bottom of your drum.
• Never machine wash vinyl. Full stop.
The mesh bag method works in a real emergency. It's just not the best way to preserve your outfits long-term.
The Dryer is the Enemy of Exotic Dancewear
If there's one rule you take from this entire guide, it's this: never put your dancer outfits in the dryer.
Heat destroys spandex elasticity permanently — once it's gone, it doesn't come back. Heat also melts rhinestone glue, shrinks mesh, cracks vinyl, and crushes velvet pile. Your dryer is for your towels and your T-shirts. Your stage outfits need to air dry flat.
How to Dry Dancer Outfits Correctly
• Lay flat on a dry towel or a clean, flat surface.
• Reshape the garment while it's still wet — this is your chance to get it back to its original shape.
• Keep away from direct sunlight and direct heat sources (radiators, space heaters).
• Most dancewear dries within 4–8 hours flat. Thicker pieces like velvet or heavily embellished sets may take longer.
• Never hang wet spandex or mesh — it stretches under its own weight.
Detergent: What to Use (and What to Avoid)
Your detergent matters more than you think for exotic dancewear.
✓ Use These
• Woolite Delicates — our top recommendation. Gentle formula, safe for spandex, mesh, and embellishments.
• Delicate-specific detergents in small amounts.
• Baby shampoo — surprisingly effective for a gentle clean in a pinch.
✗ Avoid These
• Bleach — destroys elastics, fades color, breaks down fabric structure. Never.
• Fabric softener — coats synthetic fibers and actually reduces stretch over time.
• Heavy-duty detergents — too harsh for dancewear fabrics.
• Stain removers directly on rhinestones or embellishments — the chemicals can loosen adhesive.
Getting Sweat and Odor Out of Your Stage Outfits
Shift smell is real. Here's how to deal with it without wrecking your outfits:
• Soak in cold water with a splash of white vinegar for 15–20 minutes before washing. Vinegar neutralizes odor naturally without damaging fabric.
• Baking soda dissolved in cold water is another effective pre-soak option.
• For spot odor on specific areas, apply a small amount of Woolite Delicates directly to the spot, let it sit for 5 minutes, then hand wash normally.
• Do not use hot water to 'kill bacteria' — it damages the fabric before it eliminates the odor.
The best strategy is to rinse your outfit in cold water immediately after a shift, even if you can't do a full wash. This prevents odor from setting.
How to Handle Rhinestone Pieces
Rhinestone and embellished exotic dancewear needs extra care. The stones are typically heat-bonded or glued — both methods are sensitive to heat and prolonged water exposure.
• Always hand wash. No exceptions for rhinestone sets.
• Minimal handling while wet — the glue is weakest when saturated.
• Do not wring or twist. Press gently to remove water.
• Dry rhinestone-side up on a flat surface.
• If a stone falls off, save it. You can re-glue with E6000 adhesive (available at craft stores).
• Never iron rhinestoned fabric — the heat melts the adhesive. For wrinkles, steam from a distance or hang in a steamy bathroom.
Storing Your Dancer Wardrobe After Washing
How you store your outfits matters as much as how you wash them.
• Make sure everything is fully dry before storing. Damp dancewear stored in a bag or drawer grows mildew.
• Fold loosely rather than tightly compressing. Tight folding creates permanent creases in spandex and velvet.
• Store rhinestone pieces face-up or on top of other items so stones aren't crushed.
• Mesh bags are great for storing individual outfits — keeps them separated and prevents snags from other items.
• Avoid storing in direct sunlight, which fades colors over time.
The Quick Reference: DOs and DON'Ts
✓ DO
• Hand wash in cold or lukewarm water
• Use Woolite Delicates or similar gentle detergent — less is more
• Lay flat to dry
• Reshape while wet
• Pre-soak in white vinegar for odor
• Use a mesh laundry bag if machine washing in a pinch
✗ DON'T
• Bleach
• Iron (especially rhinestoned or embellished pieces)
• Use hot water
• Put in the dryer
• Wring or twist
• Machine wash rhinestone-heavy or vinyl pieces
• Store while damp
FAQ: Your Dancewear Care Questions, Answered
These are the questions we get asked most about washing exotic dancer outfits.
Q: Can I put my dance outfit in the washing machine?
A: For most exotic dancewear, we recommend hand washing. If you're in a pinch, use a mesh laundry bag, cold water, and a delicate cycle. Never machine wash rhinestone-heavy pieces or anything with vinyl — the agitation and heat will destroy them.
Q: How do I wash a rhinestone bodysuit without losing stones?
A: Hand wash only, cold water, Woolite Delicates. Minimal handling while the piece is wet — the glue softens in water. Press gently to remove water, lay flat rhinestone-side up to dry. Never machine wash or machine dry a rhinestone set.
Q: What detergent is safe for spandex dancewear?
A: Woolite Delicates is our top recommendation. Baby shampoo also works well. Avoid heavy-duty detergents, fabric softener (it breaks down stretch over time), and anything with bleach.
Q: Can I put my exotic dancewear in the dryer?
A: No. Heat destroys spandex elasticity permanently and melts rhinestone glue. Always lay flat to air dry. Your dryer is the single biggest threat to your dancer wardrobe.
Q: How do I get body odor out of a dance outfit?
A: Pre-soak in cold water with a splash of white vinegar for 15–20 minutes before washing. This neutralizes odor without damaging fabric. Rinsing your outfit immediately after a shift also prevents odor from setting.
Q: How often should I wash my stage outfit?
A: After every wear if possible — especially if you've been on the floor for a full shift. At minimum, rinse in cold water after each wear to prevent odor buildup and fabric breakdown from sweat.
Q: Can I spot clean my dancewear instead of washing it?
A: Yes, for minor spots. Apply a small amount of Woolite Delicates directly to the spot, work it gently with your fingertip, and rinse with cold water. For heavier soiling, a full hand wash is better.
Q: Will washing shrink my spandex outfit?
A: Cold water won't shrink spandex. Hot water and machine drying are what cause shrinkage and permanent elasticity loss. Stick to cold water and air drying and your fit will hold.
Q: How do I dry my dance outfit fast?
A: Roll it gently in a clean dry towel to absorb excess moisture, then lay flat. Place near (not directly on) a fan to speed up drying. Most pieces dry in 2–4 hours this way. Never use a hair dryer or place on a radiator — heat damage.
Q: Can I use fabric softener on my dancer outfit?
A: No. Fabric softener coats synthetic fibers like spandex and mesh, which actually degrades stretch performance over time. Skip it entirely for dancewear.
Q: How do I wash a mesh outfit without ruining it?
A: Hand wash in cold water with very gentle agitation — mesh snags easily. Or use a mesh laundry bag in a delicate machine cycle. Never machine wash loose mesh without a bag.
Q: What water temperature should I use for dancewear?
A: Cold to lukewarm. Never hot. Hot water breaks down spandex elasticity, fades colors, and weakens rhinestone adhesive. Cold water cleans just as effectively for dancewear.
Q: How do I keep rhinestones from falling off when washing?
A: Hand wash only, minimal handling while wet, cold water, and never machine dry. If a stone does fall off, re-attach with E6000 craft adhesive. Store rhinestone pieces face-up to prevent stones from being crushed.
Q: Can I hand wash in the sink?
A: Yes — a clean sink is the ideal setup. Fill with cold water, add a small amount of Woolite Delicates, swish gently, let soak for 5–10 minutes, rinse, and lay flat to dry. Simple and effective.
Q: How do I get sweat stains out of a bodysuit?
A: Pre-soak in a mix of cold water and white vinegar (about a 4:1 ratio) for 15–20 minutes before washing. For set-in stains, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the area, let it sit for 10 minutes, then hand wash normally.
Q: How do I store my dance outfits after washing?
A: Make sure they're completely dry before storing — damp dancewear grows mildew. Fold loosely (don't compress tightly), store rhinestone pieces face-up, and keep everything out of direct sunlight.
Q: Will bleach ruin my dance costume?
A: Yes. Bleach destroys elastic fibers, fades dyes, and breaks down the structure of spandex and mesh permanently. Never use bleach on exotic dancewear, even diluted.
Q: How do I wash a bodysuit with padding or underwire?
A: Hand wash in cold water. Reshape the padding while wet and press flat to dry. For underwire pieces, support the cup shape while drying so it holds. Never machine dry padded or underwire garments.
Q: Can I iron out wrinkles in my stage outfit?
A: Do not iron dancewear, especially anything with rhinestones, vinyl, or synthetic embellishments. For wrinkles, hang in a steamy bathroom, use a garment steamer held at a distance, or lay flat and let gravity do the work.
Q: How long does dancewear take to air dry?
A: Most spandex and mesh pieces dry in 4–8 hours when laid flat. Thicker fabrics like velvet, heavily padded pieces, or rhinestone-dense sets may take 12–24 hours. Rolling in a towel first cuts drying time significantly.
Take Care of Your Outfits and They'll Take Care of You
Every set in your dancer wardrobe is an investment — in your stage presence, your confidence, and your income. The care routine above takes 10 minutes. Replacing a ruined rhinestone set because you threw it in the dryer costs you a lot more than that.
At Golddiggers, every piece ships with care instructions because we actually want your set to survive the season. Cold water, Woolite Delicates, lay flat to dry. That's the short version.
Questions about caring for a specific Golddiggers piece? Drop us a message — we'll tell you exactly what your set needs. golddiggersboutique.com
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